Da'Shonte Riley works in the post during Eastern Michigan's win over Madonna. Eastern Michigan University

Syracuse, NY -- The basketball gods have not been kind to Da’Shonte Riley.

The former Syracuse University center sat out his last season with the Orange because of a stress fracture in his foot. He decided to transfer after that year, his sophomore season at SU, to be closer to his Michigan family.

He chose Eastern Michigan, a 45-minute drive from his Detroit hometown. Former SU assistant Rob Murphy had accepted the job there as the Eagles head coach, which eased Riley’s transition to his new basketball destination.

But toward the end of last season, Riley was parked in the post when a Northern Illinois defender “clomped down on my shoulder,” he said. That instant of awkward pressure dislocated Riley’s right shoulder. Surgery to repair a torn labrum ensued later that spring, he said. And for six months, the 7-footer healed and rehabilitated yet another immobilizing injury.

“Any time you sit out from basketball, it’s tough,” Murphy said. “He really hadn’t played his first two years and then to have a set-back like that, it hurt.”

Riley said the season spent rehabbing his foot at Syracuse steeled him mentally for his latest healing odyssey. But the pain and the waiting and the subsequent treatment to render him physically whole still aggravated him.

“I didn’t struggle with it too much when it happened, but when they suggested I have surgery, I thought about it a lot more,” he said. “I was frustrated, more than anything.”

Riley and the Murphy-led Eagles visit Syracuse tonight at 7 in the Carrier Dome for a game televised by ESPNU. Riley was cleared to play more than a month ago and has participated in about 30 EMU practices. And though Riley said he feels “100 percent” better from a pain perspective, the injury robbed him of a valuable summer of basketball experience.

He had planned, he said, to play in summer games in Chicago and to work out in different places in Michigan. Instead, the injury prevented him from lifting weights to fortify his reedy frame. (EMU lists Riley as 7-feet, 233 pounds.) And it cost him valuable playing and practice time.

“He’s worked his way into shape and he’s played better. He’s continued to improve, but he’s so far behind,” Murphy said. “I’ve been pleased with his progress, but he’s no where near where he needs to be at this point.”

His prolonged absence from meaningful basketball altered Riley’s timing and dulled his court sense, Murphy said. But Riley believes he has hurdled his most daunting challenge: He no longer dreads contact on a tender shoulder. He no longer avoids physical play in the post.

“Obviously, my timing was off when I started playing again,” he said. “But once I got over the fear of banging and lifting my arms to shoot, I was OK. The big thing was breaking through some of those mental barriers.”

Murphy said the Eagles need Riley to be a presence in the middle of their 2-3 zone. He wants the EMU big man to block shots and discourage penetrating guards from finishing near the rim. Riley lists his job description as “the enforcer, the anchor of the defense.”

“Da’Shonte’s not an aggressive scorer, but he’s a really good passer,” Murphy said. “We rely on his ability to alter shots, change shots and rebound the ball so we can get out in transition.”

Riley roomed with Orange forward James Southerland for almost two years while he attended SU. The two still talk, though Southerland said those exchanges rarely mention basketball. “It’s just friendship, conversation,” he said.

“He’s a good guy,” said Southerland. “Hopefully, he’ll do well over there in his conference. He’ll kill it. And be the defensive player of the year. He can block a lot of shots and he’s a good passer down low in the post.”

Riley said he has long anticipated his return to Syracuse for tonight’s game. He still has friends and acquaintances in town. He retains fond memories of his time in Syracuse.

He will inhabit a different locker room Monday in the Carrier Dome. He will wear a different uniform. But Riley relishes his return.

“I’m just looking forward to the opportunity to go back to Syracuse and play,” he said. “I’m looking forward to competing against those guys and hopefully come out of there with a win.”